HL Arledge

A poor man's (or woman's) antibiotic...

I’ve had several of my teammates leave sick already this week.

As the weather changes, the flu and cold season nears. With this in mind, I thought I would pass on this tip.

An old Louisiana country doctor once told me…

“If you’re too busy or too cheap to call me for antibiotics, take 3 vitamin C tablets and one B complex every four hours. This will help build up your immune system. If you do this early when you first think you’re getting sick, it may ward off the illness.”

Of course, that’s just food for thought.

I am not a practicing physician—nor do I play one on TV, so please don’t sue me if this doesn’t help you.

Where do Obama and McCain stand on Environmental Health?

I don't like to get into politics in a company blog, but this one is a safe bet.

On the subject of Environmental Health, both candidates are in total agreement.

According to the group Science Debate 2008, both candidates support:

• Offshore drilling
• Refining clean coal
• Using nuclear power
• Adopting alternative fuels
• Exploring renewable energy, such as wind and solar

Both candidates tout plans to use emission trading to roll back the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to below 1990 levels before the year 2050. These plans differ only in the degrees set as goals. Barack Obama is targeting a 80% reduction, whereas John McCain is shooting for a 60% rollback.

I don't really see this as any difference at all. With any goals, we may come close, or we may overshoot the mark. With these two goals, either effort should get us in the same ballpark.

Either measure may require Environmental Health regulators to track GHG levels, making the next four years a period of growth for EnvisionConnect.

12 Characteristics of a Remarkable Leader

Here are the 12 characteristics of remarkable leadership according to author Kevin Eikenberry:

• Champions Change   
• Communicates Powerfully   
• Builds Relationships   
• Develops Others   
• Focuses on "Customers"   
• Influences Impactfully   
• Thinks & Acts Innovatively   
• Values Collaboration & Teamwork   
• Solves Problems & Makes Decisions   
• Takes Responsibility & Accountability   
• Manages Projects & Processes   
• Sets Goals & Supports Goal Achievement   

Does your management pass the test?

Read more about these in Kevin's book, Remarkable Leadership.

18 definitions that can make you a better leader

When I first took this job, I started jotted down notes, regarding different ways to interpret words. I've come to believe that real leaders have a slightly different dictionary than managers, bosses, dictators, and elected officials.

Here are my top 10 definitions used by real leaders...

Attitude–A state of mind, an emotional and intellectual inclination and predisposition to actions based on what you convince yourself is the truth.

Communication–Refers to anything, verbal or nonverbal, that imparts information, thoughts, or feelings. It is a vehicle than enables leaders and followers to connect with each other and to learn about their respective worlds.

Defensive Culture–A world in which people are more concerned with their image than they are with solving problems.

Desires–Unexpected bonuses or other pleasant surprises. The items that complete a staff member's statement that begins with, "It sure would be nice if..."

Expectations—Refers to perceived entitlements, any deliverable or treatment staff considers essential to happily performing their jobs.

Fertile Workplace Culture—An environment that encourages individuals to grow, learn, and be as good as they can as employees and as people.

2008 Decade Conference a Resounding Success

Tabulating the early results, it seems the 2008 Decade Software User Training Conference was a resounding success, and I especially want to thank Peter Lucas and Sandra Sanchez for making it that way.

Of the conference participants who turned-in their post-conference questionnaires, over 99% said that the classes they attended were structured well, included useful material, and were presented well.

In the written comments, many said that this was our best conference yet!

My favorite quote said...

“Class presenters were much more interesting and knowledgeable than in the past.”

This was important to hear, as everyone on staff was committed to making that happen this year, and we are proud to have made strides in that direction.

Were there complaints? Of course, there were. You can never please all of the people all of the time. Two-thirds of our open forum panelists canceled at the last minute, and the Radisson Hotel had a problem controlling their flies, but by far, the complements exceeded the complaints, and everyone walked away smiling.

Next week, I'll be spotlighting some of the conference presentation teams and discussing the specifics of those presentations, but today I wanted to take a moment and thank the unsung heroes of our conference.

IT Wiz and Documentation Guru Peter Lucas and the company president's right arm, Sandra Sanchez are the glue that hold these events together. Too often, we forget to tell them...

"Thank you!"

And on that note, I want to thank all of those who attended and provided their feedback. We certainly couldn't improve without your input.

Thanks a million!

Meanwhile, in a country called Scrum...

In the country of Scrum, there is a backlog of bills to be addressed, and there is an impediment list of problems to be solved.

These lists are ordered by the Product Owner—and the Vice Product Owner if the Product Owner is assassinated.

The country of Scrum has two teams. Each team has a Scrum Master, who coordinates meetings to ensure that everyone does what is best for the team and the country.The Product Owner is available to answer any questions and provide any support the teams require.

The Product Owner(s) never interfere with the daily workings of the teams.

The goals of individual team members are rarely considered.

After both teams have delivered on their commitments, they come together, adapting and improving their processes, ultimately delivering a country that all stakeholders are proud of—and one that other country's envy.

I once lived in the country of Scrum, but during some quiet coo, I believe that my country was overthrown by the kingdom of Greed.